Simple Energy Boosting Meditation

In all of my yoga classes in York starting in January I’m going to be introducing you to some simple but effective meditation techniques. There are so many ways to meditate, you can do it in many different positions, you can use different senses and objects to meditate on - we’re going to explore all of this.

So here as a little aperitif is a simple energy boosting meditation - I thought you might need at this time of year! Have a go and see how you find it. Of course any questions just let me know. And I hope you can join me in my yoga classes from January to explore meditation techniques more.

Slow Down Yoga - when less is more

The art of slowing down.

With so many different styles of yoga, and perhaps a general understanding of yoga being 'movement', people can sometimes be unaware of the deep stillness in some styles of yoga - not just in the mind but in the body too. Having a deeper inward focus and time to reflect and enjoy the real feeling of your body taking different shapes, and releasing them, slowly can be so very enlightening. It can be deeply transformative, and can show you so many things about yourself. It's the practices of Yin and Restorative yoga that I bring together in my weekly Slow Down yoga classes, and monthly Slow Sunday yoga workshops, that I truly believe can benefit us deeply in the crazy, busy, modern world. It’s perfect a form of self-care for body and mind. Read on to find out more.

Starting a home practice - top tips

Doing a little bit of yoga often can make a huge difference to you. It doesn't take a lot to start a home yoga practice but it does take discipline. Just 5 minutes a day will make a big difference. As a yoga teacher who makes their living from teaching yoga in a yoga studio, why am I encouraging you to practice at home? Well because it will help your practice and make you feel great - and I want you to feel great, simple as that! So here I share some advice on ways to start yoga at home. Try it out for a week and see how you feel.

Diwali - the beautiful festival of lights

The moon on the 19th October is new and ushers in the Hindu New Year as millions in India around the world celebrate Diwali, the joyful festival of lights. Diwali is the biggest event in the Indian calendar (which goes on for 5 days) is often called the festival of lights, the most significant spiritual meaning behind it is “the awareness of the inner light”. It represents the victory of good over evil and is marked with a deep spirit of joy. Find out more about how it relates to yoga here...

About yogaSusan BradleyOctober 26, 2017diwali, slow sunday, slow yoga, yoga york

Exercise in pregnancy - a guide

Exercise during pregnancy

Whether you are a yoga geek, a gym bunny or a couch potato (or anywhere in between), once you find yourself pregnant it can be hard to know what kind of exercise you should, and shouldn't be doing. Some stuff is great - pregnancy yoga, swimming. Some not advised - contact martial arts, skiiing. Here's a guide for you.

Pregnancy, About yogaSusan BradleySeptember 9, 2017Yoga For Modern Lifepregnancy yoga, pregnancy, fertility yogaComment

Yin is in - a guide to Yin Yoga

I teach Yin Yoga as part of my Slow Sunday monthly yoga workshops, and also one off Yin Yoga specific workshops too at the beautiful York Yoga Studio. So I wanted to tell you more about this wonderful style of yoga, and how it can really be of benefit to you dealing with the stresses and strains of modern life - whether you are a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner.

About yogaSusan BradleyAugust 18, 2017yin yoga, yin, yoga york, york, york yoga studio

Do you need a yoga mat?

So do you need a yoga mat? In short the answer is YES.

The first thing to purchase as part of your yoga kit, is your very own mat. Many of the other bits and bobs we use in a yoga class can be substituted pretty well with household items (a yoga block with a book, cushion or folded blanket, a yoga strap with a belt or scarf), but a yoga mat is more than just a physical surface to practice on, it has greater significance that that.....

About yogaSusan BradleyJuly 21, 2017yoga props, yoga mat, yoga, home practice

Yoga and Fertility - one woman's experience

Yoga and Fertility

I love teaching yoga, I love how yoga benefits people on such a profound level in so many ways - whether it’s physically, mental, energetically or emotionally or often a combination of all of these. I've seen it happen so many times, it’s so powerful to witness. But I will never fail to be moved by the kind of feedback I received this week from a woman who attended my Fertility Yoga Course.

I'm grateful that she has allowed me to share this with you and hope her words will encourage anyone reading, who understands what she has experienced, to come and join the next Fertility Yoga course and be part of our supportive group. Here's what she had to say.

Fertility, About yogaSusan BradleyMay 23, 2017fertility yoga, fertilityComment

Celebrating Yoga Props

Yoga is a fundamentally accessible activity and can be practiced in a variety of settings and places, and it doesn't require much in the way of specialist equipment. However, there are a number of basic props you can use to help you get the most from yoga. These can also help make some asanas more attainable for those with limited mobility. A good class or studio will have these props available for you to use, but at home you can always use alternative items from around the home (and there's some suggestions below).

About yogaSusan BradleyApril 5, 2017yoga, yoga props

15 Reasons You THINK Can’t Do Yoga - And Why None of Them Are True

15 Reasons You THINK Can’t Do Yoga - -And Why None of Them Are True

There are almost as many great reasons to do yoga as there are yoga poses. Studies are showing what many yogis already know: yoga increases strength and flexibility while decreasing stress. Additionally, yoga has been found to improve our respiration, heart health, and sleep quality. Yoga has also been used successfully as a complementary therapy in the treatment of addiction, chronic pain, and mood disorders.

With evidence of yoga’s benefits mounting, why drag your feet? Don’t let any of the misconceptions below keep you from starting a yoga practice that just might enhance your life!

The Hygge - Yoga - Mindfulness connection

Hygge has been brought to us by the Scandinavians, and it’s specifically a Danish concept. The Danes are amongst the happiest nations on the planet, so they must be doing something right! Featured for a while now in the press in interiors and lifestyle magazines, it perhaps brings to mind snuggly woollen blankets, copious soft cushions, and an abundance of candles (the Danes burn more candles per head of population than any other country in Europe apparently).But it’s far more than an uber fashionable fad for fans of Scandinavian design or Scandi noir tv series, it’s actually a part of Danish culture that really puts self-kindness, presence, and space for yourself at its heart, just like yoga and mindfulness does. The similarities are hugely striking.

mindfulness, Hygge, About yogaSusan BradleyFebruary 5, 2017hygge, mindfulness, slow sundayComment

Yoga For All - dispelling yoga myths

Dispelling Yoga Myths

It's common to hear all sorts of reasons from people as to why yoga is not for them. Alot of the reasons I hear are misunderstadings or misconceptions, here are some really common ones and the REAL answers (well for my classes anyway - where everyone is welcome):

About yogaSusan BradleyNovember 27, 2016yoga for all, yoga, yorkComment

Happiness Toolkit: The Eye Pillow

Sometimes all it takes is a tiny change to boost your happiness. The simple eye pillow may be one of our most powerful healing tools, especially when it comes to a balanced nervous system. Your vagus nerve is one of twelve cranial nerves that originates in the brain, travels down the back of the neck and into the chest and heart, and then moves down into the abdomen and digestive tract.

About yoga, relaxation, savasanaSusan BradleySeptember 16, 2016yoga eye pillow, eye pillow, savasanaComment

The amazing power of breathing

Western research is now proving what yogis have known all along: Working with the breath can deliver powerful mind and body benefits. Learn how and why to take better advantage of it both in practice and in life.

Your body breathes on autopilot, so why worry about how to inhale and exhale? Well scientific research is showing that mindful breathing - paying attention to your breath and learning how to manipulate it - is one of the most effective ways to lower everyday stress levels and improve a variety of health factors ranging from mood to metabolism.

About yoga, mindfulnessSusan BradleySeptember 11, 2016breathing, techniquesComment

Yoga (should be) For All

I call my yoga classes ‘Yoga For All’, but what does this actually mean? Well primarily it’s that I want the yoga that I teach to people to be open to everyone - no matter their age, fitness level, body shape or experience of yoga. I feel that the yoga postures we do should be fitted to individuals bodies, not the other way around. We should find stability and ease in the poses, not be striving too hard or pushing ourselves to achieve some imagined version of a ‘perfect pose’. Everyone’s own version of the pose will look different, and be unique - and that’s how it should be, as we are all unique in our bodies and this changes over time, and even day to day (balance for example can vary day to day, its fluid). This uniqueness should be celebrated, in my opinion.

About yogaSusan BradleySeptember 2, 2016yoga, body image, yoga for allComment

Getting back to slow yoga

If ever there was a time to slow down your yoga and take your speed of life down a notch or two the summer is it. With the warm weather (fingers crossed!) and long summer days, slowing down and simply drinking it all in can feel just great.

Yoga, before it was transformed in its journey to the West was a breath-centered practice for the wellbeing of the whole person. Something that would provide a vehicle for slowing down and learning to truly take care of ourselves. Something to counter the difficulties encountered in life. But yoga changed when it came to the West.

About yogaSusan BradleyAugust 5, 2016yoga, slowComment